Sigma Convergence versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data

Andrew Young (), Matthew Higgins and Daniel Levy ()

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: In this paper we outline (i) why sigma-convergence may not accompany beta-convergence, (ii) discuss evidence of beta-convergence in the U.S., and (iii) use U.S. county-level data containing over 3,000 cross-sectional observations to demonstrate that sigma-convergence cannot be detected at the county-level across the U.S., or within the large majority of the individual U.S. states considered separately. Indeed, in many cases statistically significant sigma-divergence is found.

Keywords: sigma-convergence; beta-convergence; Solow growth model; speed of convergence; balanced growth; U.S. county-level data; income distribution; Gini coefficient; income equality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H70 O11 O18 O40 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-04-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2714/1/MPRA_paper_2714.pdf original version (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Sigma Convergence versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data (2008)
Journal Article: Sigma Convergence versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County‐Level Data (2008)
Journal Article: Sigma Convergence versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data (2008)
Working Paper: Sigma Convergence versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data (2008)
Working Paper: Sigma-Convergence Versus Beta-Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data (2005)
Working Paper: Sigma Convergence Versus Beta Convergence: Evidence from U.S. County-Level Data (2003)
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